When Don Mattrick took over Peter Moore's job, we knew changes were coming. …

Share this story

Could Microsoft start to look even more like EA? When Peter Moore left Microsoft and Don Mattrick took his place, it was unusual in that they were almost switching jobs. Don Mattrick was once the president of Electronic Arts, and he's now leading the Interactive Entertainment business for Microsoft. Peter Moore is now heading the sports division at EA. Odd, isn't it? It gets even odder, as Don Mattrick has created a new position, the corporate vice president of LIVE, software, and services. The position will be going to John Schappert. His last job? Executive vice president at Electronic Arts Inc.

He'll be reporting directly to Don Mattrick, meaning that both the overall 360 business as well as the online services of the system will be controlled by ex-EA executives. Considering we have some problems with how EA has treated their online services in the past, this isn't the best news we could have received.

"I am thrilled to have John join the deep bench of proven talent already on Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business," Mattrick said. "John’s expertise will help us focus on expanding and enriching our market leadership with LIVE in areas like online services while broadening our audience. John will also build on the great work already happening in the developer community working with Chris Satchell and the XNA organization." Schappert founded Tiburon, developers of the Madden franchise, in 1994; the company was then bought by EA. His new job overseeing Xbox Live on the 360 is certainly a move in a new direction for him.